Virtual Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Training

FOIA is a critically important tool in every investigative reporter’s toolkit. Join us for a virtual training with Freedom of Information attorney Matt Topic for a refresher on filing FOIA requests, how to best utilize FOIA in your reporting, the legal limits of FOIA, and what to do if your FOIA requests are denied.

This training is open to everyone but is aimed specifically at journalists and those with basic FOIA experience.

Speakers:

This session will be led by Matt Topic, partner at Loevy & Loevys litigated hundreds of state and federal FOIA cases around the country. He has trained hundreds of journalists, activists, lawmakers, and individuals on the Freedom of Information Act, is a regular presenter at Investigative Reporters & Editors conferences, and is frequently quoted in the media on transparency issues. He has also represented journalists seeking access to court records, quashed subpoenas for sources, defended and counseled against defamation claims, and fought unconstitutional gag orders.

This session will be moderated by Illinois Answers Project data reporter Cam Rodriguez. Cam is a data journalist interested in the overlap between community engagement, investigative and data reporting. In her work, she has done everything from research and archive/database digging, creating graphics and interactive visualizations, editing and management, engagement strategy, public records requests and more.